MATC Project Get Started: Phase II Report.

Milwaukee Area Technical College's (MATC) Project Get Started assesses mothers on welfare, analyzes their child care needs, makes recommendations, and engages 75% of the women in an appropriate job activity for at least 10 hours per week. Mothers attend an orientation that furnishes information on the project and on "W-2," the state's new welfare initiative that requires mothers with children over 12 weeks of age to work. The project provides assistance in filling out forms, and evaluates participant literacy. Of the 1,551 mothers assessed by MATC, staff determined that 28% of them were ready to enter employment with no help, 36% were ready to enter employment with minimal help, 29% faced barriers but were employable, and 7% had severe barriers to employment. The women cited job retention as a major concern, and many of them lacked the basic reading and math skills expected in the labor market. Project recommendations include providing short-term training modules and collaborating with employers and educators to provide training, mentor programs, workshops, skills-building classes, counseling, and service referrals. Appendices include client forms and program descriptions. (YKH)